HURRICANE RIPPLE EFFECTS CONTINUE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001418 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR, DRL, S/CRS, INR/IAA SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HA SUBJECT: HURRICANE RIPPLE EFFECTS CONTINUE PORT AU PR 00001418 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Crippling post-hurricane fuel shortages in both the north and the south of Haiti are showing some signs of abatement, but the ramifications continue in beleaguered storm zones. Haiti's reliance on Port-au-Prince as its sole petroleum distribution point highlights the need for decentralized fuel storage and distribution and reliable transportation routes. The towns of Les Cayes and Cap Haitien continue to experience the ripple effects of scarce resources: food is more expensive, electricity is more unreliable than ever, and already-delayed school openings scheduled for October 6 promise additional challenges for regional authorities and residents. End summary. WASHED-OUT ROADS IMPEDE RECOVERY -------------- ¶2. (U) The four hurricanes and tropical storms that battered eighty percent of Haiti in August and September also destroyed roads and bridges used for fuel transport from the capital to the regions. The main land transport routes from the capital leading north and south remain treacherous, allowing only large trucks with high clearances to reach their destination. The nearly complete lack of fuel in Cap Haitien in the north and Les Cayes in the south affects nearly every basic necessity of life in these and surrounding areas, from basic hospital care to recharging cell phone batteries. CAP HAITIEN -------------- ¶3. (U) Cap Haitien Departmental Police Chief Joanny Caneus told Embassy political specialist September 30 that the little fuel available in the city remains very expensive and costs as much as USD 15.00 USD per gallon, up from the pre-storm price of about USD 6 per gallon. (Note: Cap Haitien Mayor Michel St. Croix said in an October 3 press conference that gasoline costs 500 Haitien gourdes * USD 12.50 per gallon, and diesel fuel 275 Haitian gourdes * USD 7.00 per gallon. End note.) Traffic in the city is far below normal levels. Though the numbers of cars and trucks on the streets have increased over the last couple of weeks, they are mainly commercial, not privately-owned vehicles. Caneus also said that electricity in Cap-Haitian is ''non-existent.'' Cap-Haitien parents increasingly tell him that they can no longer afford school fees and thus, will not be able to send their children to school. Konbit Sante, a Maine-based health care NGO based in Cap Haitian, told the Portland Press Herald on September 25, ''Without power, the one well servicing the largest hospital in the north of Haiti cannot pump water, the operating room cannot function and the hospital's ability to provide even basic care is crippled.'' LES CAYES -------------- ¶4. (U) To the south, Les Cayes faces similar issues. Haitian National Police Departmental Director of the South, Henriot Toussaint, reported October 1 that fuel remains nearly unobtainable, except at exorbitant prices on the black market. He estimates, too, that electricity flows for approximately three hours per week. Located in an agriculturally-rich province, Les Cayes has seen floods destroy many of its crops and drowned much livestock. Residents have depleted their food stores since the storms and prices for staple food items such as rice are rising. ¶5. (U) In Les Cayes, which has a reputation for scholastic achievement and participation, parents are telling Toussaint they still plan to send their children to classes when schools open October 6. This is, no doubt, partly due to parochial school programs which provide free school lunches to students. TO SCHOOL OR NOT TO SCHOOL -------------- ¶6. (U) Despite many parents' best intentions, the first day PORT AU PR 00001418 002.2 OF 002 of school promises problems. Haitian media notes that many schools are functioning as IDP shelters whose inhabitants refuse to leave due to the lack of alternative housing options. Teachers have also suffered losses of and damage to property and may face difficulties returning to work. ¶7. (U) Comment: Neither Cap Haitien nor Les Cayes suffered serious storm damage or flooding. However, damage to Haiti's vulnerable roads and bridges is starving these cities of fuel, electricity, and other supplies, and impeding hurricane recovery efforts. This situation points to the need not only to decentralize fuel distribution, but also to reduce the vulnerabilities in Haiti's ground transport network. SANDERSON